Energy time and water saving improvement for washing machines

ABSTRACT

A washing machine incorporating a set of electrodes; anode and cathode, which is fed with a varying Direct Current to improve the performance of the washing machine. The electrodes are placed inside the washing drum in a manner in which it remains submerged below the level of water through the washing process. By the use of the DC current, which feeds the electrodes the cleaning action takes place by the attraction of hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain of the detergent which gets attracted and embedded in to the dirt particle on the laundry; which is then attracted to the positive terminal along with the embedded dirt. Because of this action dirt particles are easily cleaned and rinsed without the use of much water and less power and less time. Hence this invention reduces the consumption of Power, Time and Water.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS.

Provisional Application Number: U.S. 60/571,709 This Patent is derived from the above Provisional patent Filed by T. Stephen Nicholas Peries, Colombo, Sri-Lanka.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates in general to automatic and semi-automatic washing machines both top and front loading, and concerns a water, time and power saving-device designed to be incorporated in such a washing machine as an improvement, in order to remove dirt, grease and similar substances out the fabric fibers and the washing medium (detergent mixed water) of the washing machine

2. Prior Art

In a typical pulsator type washing machine, Depending on the type of cloth to be washed, one of four (in most cases) washing modes is selected. A pulsator and a spin-dry tub rotate in various [opposite] directions and speeds depending on the wash mode selected. Thus causes varying degree of agitation during the wash cycle in both front load and top loading washing machines. A power switching motor controls a brake and a clutch to cause the pulsator and the spin-dry tub to rotate depending on the wash mode selected. Thus, the pulsator and the spin-dry tub are capable of rotating either forward, backward, agitate in both directions, or not to rotate the tub at all depending on the wash mode selected.

However, the above pulsator type washing machine has the following problems. As a typical pulsator type washing machine agitates, it causes twisting and entangling of the clothes in the washing tub, in both top and front loading washing machines due to opposed directional rotations of the pulsator where by causing both damage to clothes and deterioration of the washing effect.

Additionally a typical pulsator type washing machine expels the detergent solution along with the removed dirt by letting it drain out of the drum causing the suspended dirt to be stuck along with detergent remnants back on the washed clothes. In this regard, the washing machine should waste large amount of water and lengthen the washing time.

In order to overcome the above problems of a typical pulsator/agitator type washing machine and to specifically save on time, water and power; a unit as claimed under this patent could be used. This device cerates an electro dynamic field which uses the very molecules that are attracted to dirt and grease, and uses theses molecules as the mobile electron carrier of the unit resulting in the removal of dirt, grease and detergent molecules out of the water, causing an overall saving on power time and water and replacing the agitation of the drum.

BRIEF SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION.

The invention claimed under this patent, creates a potential difference that causes an electro dynamic field in the detergent mixed water solution of the washing machine by means of a set of electrodes that causes an electro hydro dynamic flow of soluble Ions in the solution.

Once the detergent is dissolved in water, the hydrophobic hydro carbon chain of the detergent gets attracted towards the dirt, grease and fibers and embeds it self in them. The activated unit targets the very molecules that targets the dirt, grease and fibers and attracts them out on to its terminals along with its embedded dirt and grease.

As the rate of attraction is controlled by the current flow, the removal of dirt and grease could be accelerated by supplying a higher flow of current witch results in a saving on time. The saving on time leads to a saving on power as the device works on a low intake of power for a short period of time and uses very little agitation off the drum. As dirt is removed along with the detergent the number of rinses is reduced leading to the saving on water whereby the claimed invention under this patent leads to an overall saving on Power Time and Water.

BRIEF DISCRIPITION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of the whole unit. The diagram is divided into two sections by means of a dotted line where P1 and P2 are electrical components of the unit and R Indicating the resistance between two successive electrodes.

FIG. 2 depicts a basic view of a front load washing machine and the set of graphite plates A1, which constructs the activation unit; strategically being placed parallel to each other. (The distance between two successive electrodes will be limited to a few millimeters in OEM applications. The figure depicts a widely spaced view of the electrodes being used)

FIG. 3 depicts a basic view of a front load washing machine and the set of graphite plates being placed within the inner and outer barrel of the washing machine in a manner in which it is below the level L1; where L1 indicates the upper level reached by a volume of water intake.

DETAILED DISCRIPITION OF THE INVENTION

The improvement which takes the form of a unit consists of two parts. A Power supplying unit and an Activation unit. The power supplying unit FIG. 1, consists of a DC power generator P1, that delivers the high Amp current to the terminals of the activating unit via a Limiting circuit P2. The activation unit FIG. 2, A1 is basically a set of graphite plates strategically placed parallel to each other few millimeters apart, serving as electrodes supplying electrons to the incoming ions of the detergent solution.

The setup takes the shape and curvature of the washing Drum FIG. 3; on to which they are mounted and remain, immersed under water FIG. 3; L1, through the washing process.

A limiting circuit FIG. 1, P2, is attached to the outlet of the power supply to limit the number of electrons delivered by the power supplying unit, as at first the detergent solution has a very high concentration of mobile ions which makes the resistance of the solution low and leads to a high flow of current [electrons]. As the number of mobile ions drop rapidly due to time the resistance increase and causes to slower the process. To prevent this occurrence electrodes of the activation unit are placed in very lose proximity to each other so that the setup leads to a constant flow of electrons towards the electrodes even at a low voltage.

Chemical Reaction Caused by the Activation Unit.

Water molecules can function as both acids and bases. One water molecule (acting as a base) can accept a hydrogen ion from a second one (acting as an acid). This in a common occurrence where there is even a trace of water.

However, the hydroxonium ion is a very strong acid, and the hydroxide ion is a very strong base. As fast as they are formed, they react to produce water again. The net effect of this is an equilibrium state is formed.

At any given time, there are incredibly small numbers of hydroxonium ions and hydroxide ions present. When calculating the concentration of hydroxonium ions present in pure water it turns out to be 1.00×10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³ at room temperature.

K_(w); the ionic product for water, is an essential equilibrium constant for the above reactions shown and for this application. It takes two forms Based on the fully written equilibrium K_(w)=[H₃O⁺][OH⁻] K_(w)=[H⁺][OH⁻]

As only a small amount of water is ionized, its concentration remains virtually unchanged at any given time. Like any other equilibrium constant, the value of K_(w) varies with temperature. Its value is usually taken to be 1.00×10⁻¹⁴ mol² dm⁻⁶ at room temperature. This is its value at a bit less than 25° C.

Pure water at room temperature the Kw value interprets that: [H⁺][OH⁻]=1.00×10⁻¹⁴

But in pure water, the hydrogen ion (hydroxonium ion) concentration must be equal to the hydroxide ion concentration. For every hydrogen ion formed, there is a hydroxide ion formed as well.

Replace the [OH⁻] in the K_(w) expression by another [H⁺]. [H⁺]²=1.00×10⁻¹⁴ [H⁺]=1.00×10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³

Converting into pH: pH=−log₁₀[H⁺] pH=7

In this application the solution consists of four main Ions, namely H⁺, Na⁺,

and OH⁻. All the negative ions get attracted towards the positive terminal and the positive ions, to the negative terminal; where the electron exchange occurs. The stabilized ion then bond together and forms its own respective stable molecule. As there are four main groups of molecules in the solution we perform a pH test to identify the first group that gets attracted to the anode and cathode.

As for an enhance cleaning of the cloths in the washer, the

group should be attracted towards the Anode, and if the

group gets attracted towards the anode, the pH of the solution should be increased according to the above explanation and the formula: log₁₀{[1]/[H⁺]}=10⁻¹³>10⁻¹⁴.

And experimental evidence shows the variation of the pH value as a quadratic function and that the pH of the solution increases due to time when the unit is activated and is shown in the graph below.

Since

get attracted to the anode among the anions the following reactions occurs at the electrodes. At the Cathode:

At the Anode:

Among the two cations the hydrogen molecule get attracted first towards the cathode, during which time the

with its embedded dirt and grease get attracted towards the Anode. As it doesn't make any strong bonds it falls at the base of the Anode. The reaction is terminated when the concentration of

is reduced to the desired amount.

While we recognize that we can't predict the behavior of any one molecule with any precision, we can quite exactly predict the behaviors of large assemblages of molecules Using the logic used in predicting electron results. The kinetic energy of an atom or molecule is calculated by the formula: K.E.=1/2mv², Where m is the mass of the particle and v is its velocity.

In this application the mass distribution is even and the velocity is un-even. Velocities of the molecules are depended upon two factors.

-   -   i. The resistance of the solution     -   ii. The source voltage.

Initially as the solution has a low resistance, so the molecules reach with strict competition towards the thermals to exchange electrons, as it has a natural tendency to release or gain electrons depending on its polarity; in its mobile state. At this point of the reaction the resistance and voltage causes to flow a higher current through the solution to maintain stability according to Ohm's Law, but is controlled by the limiting circuit FIG. 1, P2.

Due to the acceleration |[dV]/[dt]| of the molecules towards the terminals of the unit the net result causes a force |F=ma|; which is exerted upon the fibers of the laundry, to free it self off with its embedded dirt and grease.

The only force exerted on a detergent molecule in the conventional washing system is the repulsion force exerted by the other molecules which are of the same charge. The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution for this reaction may be described by plotting the function of “the number of molecules” vs “kinetic energy”.

It is evident that the plot is not symmetric so the most probable kinetic energy is not the same as the average kinetic energy of the system. The main reason for this is the nature of the detergent molecule and the behavior of it in an aqueous medium.

The dirt embedded hydrocarbon chain is pushed off with the embedded dirt from the under laying fibers due to oppose directional force caused by the other molecules embedded on the fibers. Dirt which is now off the fiber breaks up into further small parts and suspends in the water being unable to move in any direction due to the constant forces exerted from all direction in the solution. And as the water is expelled out of the drum the cloths act as a filter, and the suspended dirt is evenly distributed on to the cloths back again as a thin layer, which is invisible to the naked eye.

But once the device is activated, all the detergent molecules;

in the solution act like little individual compasses; directing towards the electrodes which resolve all the forces to one plain and attract them at high speeds. The Benefits of the Above Process and How It Saves:

The saving achieved by this process is inter-related. The dirt is removed fast and efficiently without much agitation and rinsing, where by the saving on water and time is achieved. And the saving on time leads to a saving on power and could be further explained as below.

in the detergent is accelerated towards the positive terminal with its embedded dirt and grease; but due to the strict competition between molecules to deliver the extra electron they are attracted at very high speeds, increasing there kinetic energy amounting to increase there potency of cleaning, as the molecule exerts a force to free its self off the fiber. Due to this increase potency, strongly bonded dirt is removed off the cloth fibers and is cleaned thoroughly. Due to the above mentioned behavior (under the electric charge) of the molecule, it reduces the number of cycles (rotations of the barrel/ agitation) needed to repel the dirt off the clothes and the in takes of water for rinsing; which ultimately leads to a saving on time water and power.

As the number of detergent molecules removed per unit time is depended upon the amount of current flow, the speed of removal could be adjusted by supplying the necessary current (with the relevant potential difference between the terminals) required to achieve desired speed. By doing so the detergent embedded dirt is removed off the water and the detergent concentration is reduced. The net result of this leads to a reduction in the number of water intakes which leads to the saving on water and the control over the consumption of time.

As each molecule has to be delivered an electron a high number of electrons are needed, but due to the placement of the electrodes, the required potential difference is minimized so the total power of this unit is reduced to its maximum. With the low consumption of power for this unit and the minimum agitation needed of the drum, it leads to an overall saving on power.

Also as the reaction causes an incensement in the pH level of the solution and leads to a better cleaning and a significant removal of dirt and grease off the cloths compared to the conventional washing system.

Assembly, Setup and Calculation Example.

As the device is designed to eliminate the

molecule off the water we calculate the number of

molecules by $\frac{\lbrack{Mass}\rbrack}{\left\lbrack {{Molar}\quad{Mass}} \right\rbrack} = \left\lbrack {{Number}\quad{of}\quad{mole}} \right\rbrack$

An average 5 Kg load of cloths uses around 40 grams of detergent; (In power form). Considering that the detergent sample consisted of only Sodiumalkylbenzenesulphonates,

Sodiumalkylbenzenesulphonates above Number of moles×Avogadro Constant=Number of molecules. ${\frac{40}{350} \times 6.023 \times 10^{23}} = {6.88 \times 10^{22}}$

The device is designed to work mainly on a High Amp, low voltage power supply of around 24 Amp/18 V DC on domestic models. So the number of electrons emitted is ${{Number}\quad{of}\quad{Electrons}} = {\frac{24}{1.6 \times 10^{- 19}} = {1.5 \times 10^{20}}}$ So the time consumption for the reaction would be 460 (s)=7.65 Minutes.

But as the number of detergent molecules decrease the resistance of the solution increase and causes to slower the process and at the same time the reverse reaction starts to occur. At this point the unit is turned off and the water is expelled and the second and final intake of water is taken for a finish. 

1. An application to a washing machine; comprising a set of electrodes supplying a direct current flow into the washing medium, (the detergent mixed water) resulting in the attraction of the hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain of the detergent molecule along with the embedded dirt and grease wherein: a. Varying the parameters of Resistance and/or Voltage and/or Current between the terminals of the electrodes leading to a saving on the consumption of Energy and/or Time and/or Water. b. The said application Results in the Increase of the cleaning potential of the detergent used.
 2. According to claim 1, An Attachment assembled for the use or intergration in existing washing machines. 